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The
Senate Inquiry into Military Justice sees CN VADM Ritchie
speak out on some of the tough issues facing Navy
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Chief
of Navy VADM Chris Ritchie spoke candidly about several serious
issues affecting the RAN during his statement to the Senate
Inquiry on Military Justice on March 1.
VADM Ritchie raised the subjects of suicide, alcohol abuse and
the ramifications of the HMAS Westralia fire and the loss of
LS Cameron Gurr at sea.
He commented on Able Seaman Matthew Liddell, a junior sailor
involved with HMAS Westralia, who committed suicide last year.
“Sadly, one of the junior sailors from HMAS Westralia who had
been involved in fire fighting and the handling of the bodies
of the four members who died in the fire, took his own life
in November last year,” VADM Ritchie said.
“From the time of the fire until his discharge from the Navy
in May 2000, Able Seaman Matthew Liddell firstly was identified
as being at risk from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and secondly
received ongoing treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“I understand that the Department of Veteran’s Affairs supported
his continued treatment after his discharge. It is very sad
that despite all the treatment and care AB Liddell received,
both during and after his Naval career, he committed suicide.”
CN said he could not allow complacency in the Navy in preventing
suicides or in identifying people that may be at risk of self-harm.
“It is a depressing reality that many members of the general
community commit suicide every year,” he said. “Navy treats
suicide awareness and prevention as a command and leadership
responsibility and our people receive comprehensive training
and refresher courses at regular intervals in their Naval careers.
I therefore have great confidence in the revised, proactive
strategies that Navy has implemented in recent years to combat
the incidence of suicide within our ranks.”
VADM Ritchie said that the tragic deaths of the four people
on HMAS Westralia have led to major changes that have permeated
almost every aspect of Navy life including engineering, risk
management, safety management, damage control, training and
operations.
“Every person in a position of any responsibility has been exposed
to the lessons of Westralia to the degree that the changes are
now embedded in Navy’s culture,” he said.
In the case of the tragic disappearance of Acting Leading Seaman
Cameron Gurr, VADM Ritchie said that he was disappointed by
the revelations of illicit alcohol hoarding and consumption
on HMAS Darwin.
“In short, Navy considered that on the balance of probabilities,
the personal behaviour of the seven members of the ship’s company
of HMAS Darwin fell below the high standards expected in the
RAN.”
VADM Ritchie said that although disciplinary actions against
the seven members were not feasible due to insufficient evidence
to prove culpability beyond reasonable doubt, their conduct
in relation to the disappearance of LS Gurr warranted administrative
action.
However, he said he was convinced the majority of Navy members
could be trusted to consume alcohol sensibly and in accordance
with rules.“I have faith that Navy’s revised process will safeguard
our ships from those few people who might be inclined to abuse
the alcohol in breach of regulations,” he said.
“The latest addition to our administrative regime to combat
alcohol abuse was the successful introduction of a program of
random alcohol testing late last year.
“All Navy personnel are exposed to what preventative action
may be taken to militate against alcohol abuse at regular intervals
throughout their careers, as well as by annual education sessions
through the Divisional system.
“If a member remains physically fit, cooperates completely and
maintains a positive attitude towards the therapy, Navy will
fully support treatment until the member is able to return to
their place of duty as an active, reliable and operationally
deployable person.
VADM Ritchie said that although the Navy recognizes that alcohol
dependency is a condition that can be treated, there is no place
for alcohol abuse in the Navy.
“Personnel who are impaired by alcohol may be a danger to themselves
and their shipmates as well as being a security risk.
“Navy has never condoned the illegal or irresponsible use of
alcohol. Nor has Navy ever condoned a culture of alcohol abuse.”
